-
15 Oct / 24News
Think Ahead turns 10 years old
“It began with a spark of an idea to make the social, economic and environmental factors affecting people’s mental health the bedrock of training for careers in the sector. From that spark grew the highly regarded organisation that Think Ahead is today.” Those are the words of our Chief Executive, Philippa Mariani, about Think Ahead’s […]
-
28 Aug / 24Expert insight
Mental health and work: improving support
Over the last year, we have been working to support the recruitment of employment specialists who work in dedicated services to help people with severe mental health problems to find employment. We’ve been working in partnership with not for profit Social Finance to support these services – called Individual Placement and Support (IPS) services – […]
-
1 Aug / 24News
Welcoming our new trustees
Think Ahead is delighted to welcome three new trustees, appointing Aparajita ‘Aps’ Ajit, Peter Molyneux and Liam Sloan to its Board. The organisation believes that a thriving mental health workforce is key to ensuring every person can live the life they want. It was founded in 2014, to deliver an accelerated recruitment and training programme […]
-
14 Jun / 24Expert insight
Strengthening drug and alcohol services
Alexia Fenwick, our Professional Development Lead, responds to the publication of the first-ever national strategic workforce plan for the drug and alcohol treatment and recovery sector. We were pleased to see the government’s new 10-year plan to strengthen the drug and alcohol workforce and improve services for the people using them. Recognition of […]
-
22 Apr / 24Expert insight
Opening the conversation: substance use
We are pleased to have launched new substance use training for qualified social workers supporting people living with mental health and substance use issues. Our first training has now been successfully been delivered with great results: 100% of participants reporting the training course has influenced their professional development. Participants finishing eight times more likely to […]
-
12 Apr / 24
Building a workforce fit for the future
We are proud contributors to the briefing published this week: Building a mental health workforce fit for the future. Here CEO Philippa Mariani shares her reflections on the importance of the piece. It was a privilege to be in the room with sector partners at the national workforce roundtable co-hosted by Centre for Mental Health, […]
-
16 Jan / 24News
2023 Impact Report
We’re pleased to share our Impact Report evaluating our work over the last year. Our vision is simple: a thriving mental health workforce, empowered to support people to live the life they want and deserve. From our mental health social work programme, to our advocacy work across the sector, we work to ensure people living […]
-
7 Mar / 23Expert insight
Time for change
New CEO Philippa Mariani shares reflections on her first 100 days and the priorities as she sees them for the future. When you’re struggling with your mental health, a lot of things can feel daunting; the people who help us navigate those challenges really matter to our wellbeing, to whether we feel listened to and […]
-
16 Jun / 22News
Welcoming the 2022 Cohort
Members of our 2022 cohort have kicked off their journey to become mental health social workers. The new trainees attended an online launch event on 11 June, and heard from current and past trainees, members of our Service User and Carer Reference Group, head office representatives, and staff from our academic partner Middlesex University. The […]
-
9 May / 22Expert insight
How does loneliness impact mental health?
The theme for this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week is loneliness. Here Think Ahead’s Practice Specialists, our in-house senior social workers, share their thoughts on the real life implications of isolation on mental health, and how we can better support people to connect with creative and innovative solutions. Adella When I worked in and managed […]
-
17 Aug / 21News
2021 Cohort complete the Summer Institute
Our 2021 Cohort have passed the first milestone on their journey to becoming mental health social workers, having completed the Summer Institute. For the past four weeks, the 160 new trainees – our biggest intake to date – have been immersed in lectures, practical workshops and keynote talks with respected experts across the sector. Led […]
-
18 Jun / 21News
Two new trustees join Think Ahead’s Board
We have been delighted to welcome two new additions to our Board of Trustees, Levi Chambers-Cook and Professor Kamaldeep Bhui. Levi completed the Think Ahead programme in 2018 and is the first member of our alumni network to sit on the Board of Trustees. Her frontline experience will bring an important perspective to the position, […]
